Page 23 of The Shell Collector
“Sounds good.” She lifted her gaze to the water beyond the bank of windows. The sun was beginning to poke the tippity top of its bright-orange rim over the horizon. “So, what’s the latest?”
He leaned his large forearms on the counter. There’d been a time when he had muscles like Popeye. Now they weren’t sculpted, but they were still big. “Well, rumor has it down at the campground there was a group of naked campers. A whole club of ’em.” Tug shook his head. “Now why on earth would anyone want to run around with the sand fleas and prickly briars in their nothings? That’s just a recipe for disaster.”
“Beats me. Did the police arrest them?”
Tug shook his head. “Gave ’em a warning. I heard they packed up and left, asked for a full refund. Nobody told them they had to leave, just had to put on some pants. I wouldn’t refund them, but you know how McDuffy runs his campground. He’s a softy.”
“My goodness. How do you even talk with people like that? I think I’d have given them their money back to avoid the awkward conversation. Good riddance.”
Tug snickered. “I heard they were all senior citizens too. Must have been a sight.”
“I guess.” She drank the last of her coffee, and Tug poured her another.
“How about a crabmeat-filled crepe? Does that sound good?”
“Fresh blue crab?”
Tug pulled off his ball cap, revealing the flaming tips of his ears beneath that shock of white hair. “Of course. You know me better than to ask that.”
It was meant to be a little jab, because everyone knew Tugonlyserved fresh crab. He hated it when people asked, and she loved it when his ears got red like that. “I’m in.”
“Good.” He washed his hands, then went to work on breakfast for the two of them. “Heard there’s a guy wanting to open a workout venue here on the beach.”
“Here, or over on the public access?”
“Right below the diner there.”
“Like Muscle Beach?” She’d seen that in the movies once. “Why would someone want to do that?”
“I heard the guy trying to schedule an offshore fishing trip with Captain Aubrey the other day. The guy told Aubrey he’s taking it to the town meeting for approval next week.”
“I don’t like it,” Maeve said. “There’ll be trash and a bunch of people making noise. Tourists on the private beach too.”
“Could mean more customers for me. Can’t say that’s a bad thing.”
That was true. It wouldn’t be half-bad for Tug. “Would there be equipment out there?”
“No idea.”
“If not, I guess mostly they’ll just be jogging the shoreline, trampling my shells.”
“Or stirring up ones still below the surface.”
“Okay. Yeah, maybe.” She didn’t want to be one of those cynical old ladies, but darn if it didn’t come easy lately. “Why can’t more businesses be like Paws Town Square? They serve a need for the community and help others too. Plus, it transformed that horrible eyesore of the empty building. Now the entrance to Whelk’s Island looks welcoming. In fact, it looks more like the courthouse than the real one.” She laughed. “Won’t Mr. Muscle Guy be surprised if he pulls up to Paws Town Square thinking it’s the courthouse only to be met by a bunch of dogs running around!”
“Yeah, that place does look a lot nicer than our real courthouse.” Tug flipped a crepe in the air.
Maeve let out a quiet, “Impressive.”
Tug looked pretty pleased with himself. He slid the slip of apancake onto a plate, then filled it with a fluffy layer of crabmeat and a drizzle of his famous milk gravy. He put another on a second plate, rolled it, and slopped it with another bit ofgravy before setting the plates on the counter in front of them.
She inhaled. The natural salt from the crab teased her senses, and that rich gravy had her stomach growling. “That smells very good.”
He never prayed, but he always paused for her to have her own little silent moment. She bowed her head and silently thanked God for her food and many blessings. Then she added,And thanks for Tug. He’s been a true friend. A real best man. Amen.
When she opened her eyes, he was smiling at her almost as if she’d said those last words out loud.
At the same time, they plunged their forks into the meal before them.
